The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Roman Raffaeli

Breaking down the madness: Predictions, upsets, contenders

March 18, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

It’s the most magical time of the year: March Madness.  A tournament highlighted by being the biggest postseason gauntlet in sports. The storylines, the drama, the talent and the history all make for one of the best sports watching experiences a fan can have.  With that being said, absolutely nothing is guaranteed when these teams step on the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Opinion, Showcase, Sports

Gallery: Football holds pro day for Wildcat graduates, Big Country players

March 17, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

Football hosted a pro day for its recent graduates to showcase their skills on Monday, ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Several ACU players, including Will Shaffer, Kaghen Roach and Stone Earle, were joined by two Hardin-Simmons and two UT Permian Basin athletes for workouts on the field and in the weight room. Scouts from the Kansas City Chiefs, New ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries

‘Cats roll past Lions with 33 runs, take 2-of-3 in weekend series

March 17, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The Wildcats earned their third series win of the season with a 22-11 victory Sunday over Loyola Marymount, taking the second and third games of the series and improving to 10-10 on the year. In the victory, the team hit five home runs, including a 471-foot blast from Diego Cardenas, senior from El Paso. Zandt Payne, graduate from Edmond, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

Wildcats earn first WAC tournament victory, move to rematch with CBU in championship

March 13, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The No. 2-seeded women’s basketball team moved past the sixth-seeded UT Arlington Mavericks in the Western Athletic Conference tournament with a 70-50 victory. The win was the Wildcats’ first in the WAC tournament since the team joined the conference in 2021. Payton Hull, junior guard from Peaster, led the Wildcats with 21 points while making ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

‘Cats battle Horned Frogs, Lumberjacks, Owls, in inter-Texas nonconference tests

March 6, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The nonconference slate of mid-major programs across the country can look one of two ways. Either it’s a cupcake featuring games against other mid-majors of equal or lesser talent level, or it’s a gauntlet. Loaded with in-state rivalries, Power Four programs and a championship pedigree. For Head Coach Rick McCarty and the Wildcats, the third week ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Wildcats set two season highs in Golden Nugget Invitational

March 6, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The men’s golf team secured a fourth-place finish at the Golden Nugget Invitational while Preston DeFriend finished 12th individually. DeFriend, junior from Lubbock, carded his best performance of his junior campaign so far, ending the week 7-under par. His final round was a career best 4-under par. “The course was more forgiving, which helped me ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Wildcats secure second West Texas Classic Victory, Honea finishes fourth

March 4, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The second West Texas Classic ended just like the first: a victory for the Wildcats. While the inaugural tournament last season ended after just two rounds due to windy conditions, this year's tournament went the distance and featured a come-from-behind victory for the host team. “Winning is fun,” Head Coach Rob Bennett said. “We’re glad we won… I ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Women’s golf to capitalize on home-course advantage, hosts second West Texas Classic

February 27, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The women’s golf team will host its second West Texas Classic event on March 2-3 at Abilene Country Club North.  The tournament will feature a variety of teams from around the country, including the University of Texas El Paso, Drake University, Bowling Green State University and athletes competing individually from Texas Tech University. The ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Woodson finds double-double, Wildcats grab win No. 20 after complete sweep of Utah Tech

February 27, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The women’s basketball team completed a three-game season sweep of the Utah Tech University Trailblazers Thursday night with a 76-66 win. The win was also the 20th of the season for Head Coach Julie Goodenough. It’s the first time the ‘Cats have won 20 games since 2019-20. It’s also the 11th 20-win season in Goodenough's head coaching career, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

Buisson finishes second, Wildcats secure fourth-place finish at Military City Collegiate

February 27, 2026 by Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

Thomas Buisson led the Wildcats with an even-par, second-place finish at the Military City Collegiate tournament hosted by UT San Antonio. The men’s golf team finished fourth out of 12 as a team. Buisson, senior from Bordeaux, France, carded his first two rounds at one-under par before ending his third round 2-over par. Buisson finished just one ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 10
  • Next Page »
You are here: Home / Roman Raffaeli

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
17 Mar

BREAKING NEWS: Voting is open for the 103rd student body president and vice president. The voting will close on Friday at 3 p.m.

Reply on Twitter 2033954960866418736 Retweet on Twitter 2033954960866418736 Like on Twitter 2033954960866418736 Twitter 2033954960866418736
Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
optimistsports Optimist Sports @optimistsports ·
28 Feb

Several ACU students were removed from the seating behind the Utah Valley bench late in the fourth quarter while arguing with UVU fans. After a conversation with ACUPD and other staff members, they were relocated to the stands near the UVU bench on the south baseline.

Reply on Twitter 2027850833862218001 Retweet on Twitter 2027850833862218001 1 Like on Twitter 2027850833862218001 10 Twitter 2027850833862218001

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 month ago

The Optimist
Sororities and fraternities began New Member Orientation with Bid Day, officially starting the pledging process this weekend.Originally scheduled for last week, the start was delayed due to winter weather that brought snow and ice to campus. Clubs and their sponsors gathered at designated locations on and off campus to complete tasks assigned by their officers.To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #greeklife 📸: Daniel Curdacuoptimist.com/2026/02/gallery-clubs-begin-new-member-orientation-after-weather-delay/?fbclid=PA... ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Check out this wider view of the snow on campus from our drone shots over the weekend!Wednesday classes will move to remote instruction, and offices will remain closed.🎥: Daniel Curd #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #winterstorm ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2026 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved